Inclinometer



D. LGREAvEs INGLINQMETER Sept. 5, 1944;

Filed May 5, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I mlentar 'reaves 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Ill enter D, L. GREAVES INCLINOMETER Filed May 3, 1943 I l l l :J I!

Sept. 5, 1944. I

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Patented Sept. 5, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INCLINOMETER Donald L. Greaves, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Application May 3, 1943, Serial No. 485,504

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in inclinometers especially adapted for use on aircrafts.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an instrument of the character stated adapted to give the vertical and horizontal inclinations of an aircraft. I

Another important object of the invention is to provide an inclinometer for use in aircrafts which includes simplified pendulum means for affording both a vertical and horizontal inclination reading.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the instrument.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view with a portion of the dome broken away.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the numeral 5 denotes the usual instrument panel of an aeroplane or some other suitable supporting structure for a plate 6 which forms part of the present instrument shown in Figure 2. The plate 6 has a rim 1 for retaining a transparent dome 8 in place, in the manner shown in Figure 2. The central portion of the plate 6 has an opening 9 therein.

A tubular shell or casing ID has its upper open end secured by suitable brackets l I to the underside of the plate 6 and this shell contains the volume l2 of some suitable liquid such as oil.

Numeral I3 denotes a rocker supported by trunnions l4, l4 and this rocker 13 has a central opening l5 bridged by a cross pin l6 which extends through an eye I1 at the intermediate portion of a vertically disposed rod IS, the lower portion of this rod l8 being slidably disposed in a tubular extension IS on a ball socket 20.

The upper portion I wardly through the opening 9 in the plate 6 and is equipped with a miniature aeroplane 2| on its upper end.

A sectional partition 22 is secured within the intermediate portion of the shell l0 and in a horizontal partition by screws 23.

of the rod l8 projects up- The intermediate portion of this partition 22 has an opening therein formed to define a socket for a ball 24, this ball being located at the intermediate portion of a rod 25, this rod 25 being equipped with a weight 26 at its lower end and with a ball 21 at its upper end, the ball 21 being disposed in the socket 20 as shown in Figure 2.

It can now be seen, that when the aeroplane proper (not shown) inclines, the pendulum 26 following the law of gravity will remain or slowly assume its normal gravitated position, while the upper portion of the rod 25, acting on the tube 19 and the rod l8 will swing the rod [8 in the proper direction, thus placing the miniature aeroplane in a position corresponding to the position of the aircraft to which it is complementary.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described the invention, claimed as new is:

An inclinometer comprising a horizontal supporting plate provided with a central opening and having an upstanding rim, the edge of the plate and the rim being straight at the back of the plate, a casing secured to the under side of said plate, a rocker plate pivoted 0n-a horizontal axis within the upper end of said casing and having a central opening, a rod pivoted intermediate its ends within the last-named opening and upon a horizontal axis disposed at right angles to thepivotal axis of the rocker plate, said rod projecting upwardly through and movable laterally in all directions within the opening of the supporting plate, an indicator member on the upper end of the rod, a globe disposed on the supporting plate and fitting within its rim, said dome having a flat rear side, a partition secured within the intermediate portion of the casing and having a central ball-socket opening, a second rod having a ball intermediate its ends mounted in said ball-socket opening, a further ball on the upper end of said second rod, a ballsocket receiving the last-named ball and having a tubular extension slidably receiving the lower endportion of the first-named rod, and a weight on the lower end of said second rod.

DONALD L. GREAVES.

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